Comments from Those Who Have Been Using the New Learning Resources for Youth

10412_000_047

Over the past year, stakes throughout the world have been testing a new approach to Sunday learning. And those who have used it say it has made a big difference. Here’s what they’re saying:

From Youth

“What I love most is the learning—it doesn’t stop at just Sunday School. You … carry on throughout the week. And your teacher gives you assignments, and you need to come prepared for the next Sunday.”

“Once you get going in the right direction, it’s so easy to get people into these lessons because it’s just all the rest of the quorum members who really are teaching.”

“At the end of every class, … whoever has been teaching the lesson … will give us a challenge. … So throughout the week we’ll have that challenge to become better.”

From Teachers and Leaders

“As [the youth] speak, their testimonies grow and their understanding of that doctrine becomes part of them.”

“We discuss the challenges that the girls were given from the previous week. And typically, the experiences that they’ve had that week in trying to obey and learn the doctrine … brings the Spirit quicker than anything else we could do.”

“We’ve given the young men opportunities to do this, and they’ve succeeded. They’ve been able to be facilitators of gospel discussions.”

“Teaching in the Savior’s way requires effort every day. It takes constant practice. The key is love.”

New Learning Resources for Youth

Questions and Answers

10412_000_048

Why the change?

This new approach to learning will help youth be better prepared to talk about the gospel with their friends, prepare for missionary and family service now and in the future, and deepen their testimonies of the gospel. This will happen as they actively participate in searching the scriptures, share their thoughts, and accept invitations to apply what they’re learning outside of class. In class they will study the current teachings of living prophets.

What classes will use the new lessons?

Aaronic Priesthood quorums, Young Women classes, and Sunday School classes for youth ages 12 to 18 will use the curriculum in Sunday instruction. Each month, the quorums, the Young Women classes, and the Sunday School classes will focus on learning the same doctrine, such as the Godhead, and strengthening one another in living and teaching it.

How do teachers know what to teach?

The curriculum is organized into 12 monthly units. Each unit includes several learning outlines to choose from. Each unit contains more than four outlines so teachers can select outlines based on the needs of the youth. More than one week can be spent on an outline.

What is in the learning outlines?

Each outline focuses on questions youth may have and doctrines that can help resolve those questions. The outlines do not prescribe what or how to teach. Instead, they help teachers first learn the doctrine themselves and then provide learning experiences for the youth. Teachers can tailor the learning experiences to their students’ needs. Each outline contains references and links, which will be updated regularly, to Church leaders’ recent teachings.

The outlines often suggest using videos. Most of the videos suggested are available for download and presentation on a portable electronic device. If a video is not downloadable, it can be shown over the Internet using the meetinghouse’s wireless Internet connection, if available.

Where do teachers find the new youth lessons?

Learning outlines (with separate ones for Aaronic Priesthood, Young Women, and Sunday School) are found online at lds.org/youth/learn.

What other resources would be useful?

In addition to the scriptures and words of the living prophets, the following resources are referred to frequently in the learning outlines:

•

Fulfilling My Duty to God: For Aaronic Priesthood Holders

•

Young Women Personal Progress

•

True to the Faith: A Gospel Reference

•

For the Strength of Youth

•

Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service

•

Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching

Will this new Sunday instruction affect Mutual?

Class and quorum presidencies are encouraged to consider the monthly themes while planning Mutual activities. Activity ideas from the learning outlines can be used as a starting place in that planning. To view the outlines, go to lds.org/youth/learn.

Coming in January—Come, Follow Me: Learning Resources for Youth

How We Learn Together in the Lord’s Way

10412_000_049

Youth

Learning in the Lord’s way includes coming to class prepared to learn, searching the scriptures and words of the prophets, explaining gospel truths to others, and sharing how living the gospel is influencing your life.

Teachers

As you take a personal interest in the lives of your students, you will understand their needs, create relationships, and tailor learning experiences that will enable their personal conversion. The new curriculum will help you understand the doctrine and give you ideas to engage the youth in learning. Teaching this way is not a lecture but a conversation guided by the Spirit.

Parents

Taking a personal interest in what your children are learning will help you help them become responsible for their own learning. Your children will be invited to teach your family what they are learning. As you give them opportunities to do so, their testimonies and ability to share the gospel will grow.

Adult Leaders of Youth

You are responsible for how this curriculum is implemented in your ward or branch. As you provide ongoing training and set an example of teaching in the Lord’s way, your teachers will adopt this type of teaching. Focus on the needs of the youth and find ways to help the youth, parents, leaders, and teachers discuss these needs. This new curriculum will help facilitate the conversion of the youth in your ward or branch.